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In World Cup winner Benjamin Mendy, Man City have one of the best left-backs in world football. While occasionally prone to a mistake, Mendy gives City a new dynamic when he plays with his tireless running down the flanks and ability to swing in pinpoint crosses that often lead to goals.

In just nine games this season Mendy has racked up five assists. And even further prove of Mendy's attacking acumen can be found in the fact that manager Pep Guardiola won't pick both Mendy and Leroy Sane to play on the left together due to how much both attack and, when he was fit, Mendy regularly started instead of the German winger.

The problem is, Mendy's rarely played.

The Frenchman's year-and-a-half at the Etihad has been injury-ridden and he's only appeared 16 times in a City shirt.

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He ruptured his cruciate ligament early last season which saw him miss the majority of City's title winning campaign and he's so far missed 26 games this season with a foot injury and knee surgery.

Mendy's continued absence has always proved to be a selection head ache for Guardiola, with the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Aleks Zinchenko, Fabian Delph and Danilo all filling in there, with mixed results.

So it would be no surprise if the Blues used the January transfer window to fill the troublesome position and bring in some much needed cover for Mendy.

Ben Chilwell - Leicester City

Chilwell has been at Leicester since he was 12 years old and has excelled, becoming a first team regular under Claude Puel and earning his first England caps.

The call-ups to Gareth Southgate's side were well earned as Chilwell has put a string of great performances together in the Foxes' back-line, particularly with his aggressive tackling and tendency to charge up the pitch.

His performances have been so impressive that he's seemingly caught the attention of City and has been linked with a move in the past.

Chilwell signed a new contract with Leicester in October and the deal will keep the 22-year-old at the King Power Stadium until 2024. So it will no doubt take a big bid to persuade Leicester to part with their prized left-back.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Kieran Tierney is the best left back in Scotland (Image: Getty Images)

Aged only 21, Kieran Tierney has already made well over 150 appearances for Celtic and is largely regarded as Scotland's best young player in years.

Like Chilwell, Tierney is also a youth graduate at his club and has been a regular in the side since he was 17, winning countless trophies in the process.

Tierney has the quality in possession needed to play in a Guardiola side, but he's also an intelligent defender who isn't afraid to get stuck in when it counts. His captain in Glasgow, Scott Brown, once described Tierney as "hard as nails" - some compliment coming from him.

Unlike many full-backs, Tierney is highly capable physically, too. He stands at 6ft 2in tall and has impressive pace, which would be very useful in a slight City side.

The Scottish Premiership may not be the highest standard of football in the world, but Tierney continues to consistently perform there and could well adapt to the Premier League.

However, Tierney hasn't appeared in the last five games for the Hoops due to an injury that could require surgery, effectively ruling out any move this January.

Ryan Bertrand - Southampton

Ryan Bertrand could be a shrewd signing (Image: PA)

While not as an exciting a prospect as a highly rated youngster, Ryan Bertrand could perhaps be a smart option to provide much-needed depth at left-back.

Chilwell and Tierney would undoubtedly fetch a high transfer fee, whereas Bertrand would presumably cost a lot less considering he's 29 and plays for Premier League strugglers Southampton.

But Bertrand would still make for great back-up to Mendy as he is still capable of marshaling the touchline throughout a game and has plenty of experience, with a Champions League winners medal to his name.

Crucially he wouldn't be coming in at great cost to replace Mendy completely, but to be a proper left-back who can fill in when the Frenchman is injured.

If Bertrand was willing to give up a starting XI place and the captaincy at Southampton, he could be a shrewd signing for Pep Guardiola.

Filipe Luis - Atletico Madrid

Filipe Luis during his time at Chelsea (Image: Action Images)

The Brazilian's first stint in England, at Chelsea, was massively disappointing but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is a quality defender.

Luis has spent eight years at Atletico Madrid in two stints, and was a vital part of Diego Simeone's brick wall of a defence as Atleti finally broke the dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona to win La Liga in 2014, as well as reaching two Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016.

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But now at 33 years of age, behind Lucas Hernandez in the pecking order and with only six months remaining on his contract, Luis is set to leave Atletico for a second time.

While Luis' pace isn't what it was and he does suffer from injuries of his own, he remains an excellent defender who could offer Pep Guardiola a more solid option at left back and would be class back-up on a free transfer.

Danny Rose - Tottenham Hotspur

Danny Rose battles with Romelu Lukaku

The Tottenham left-back was once considered by many to be the country's best in his position, but since suffering a severe knee injury early in 2017 he's not been the same player - suffering from depression and a lack of fitness in the time since.

Even when fit he's been unable to permanently dislodge Ben Davies in the Spurs backline and he has criticized Tottenham's lack of spending on player transfers and wages in the past.

The writing has seemingly been on the wall for Rose's departure from North London for years and perhaps a fresh start in Manchester could rejuvenate his career.

Despite his struggles, Rose remains a quality full back who's defensively smart and offers lots of pace going forward in attack. There's a reason he made the World Cup squad this summer despite a poor season.

However, Tottenham may still be unwilling to sell considering their current injury woes.